Sports Medicine

Enhancing Athletic Performance and Recovery

with Digital Vascular Biomarkers

In-Clinic, At Home, On-the-Go

Fast Facts

#1

Sudden cardiac death is the leading medical cause of death during exercise in NCAA student-athletes.1

11%

of endurance athletes have a coronary artery calcium score (CAC) greater than 300.2

5X

Compared to non-athletes, endurance athletes are five times more likely to develop atrial fibrillation (a-fib).3

Cardiovascular Fitness and Arterial Stiffening Go Hand-in-Hand

  • Wakeham DJ, Dawkins TG, Lord RN, et al.
    “There is an age-dependent effect of habitual exercise on aortic haemodynamics, with lower [aortic Systolic Blood Pressure] in young run ners compared to nonrunners only.”
    Wakeham DJ, Dawkins TG, Lord RN, et al.
    European Journal of Applied Physiology
  • Shibata S, Fujimoto N, Hastings JL, et al.

    "Casual exercise training of two to three times per week may be sufficient for middle-sized arteries like the carotid to minimize arterial stiffening with ageing. "

    Shibata S, Fujimoto N, Hastings JL, et al.
    The Journal of Physiology
  • Jung JY, Min KW, Ahn HJ, et al.

    “Moderate intensity exercise improved arterial stiffness with relation to cardiorespiratory fitness and also with central obesity in type 2 diabetes.”

    Jung JY, Min KW, Ahn HJ, et al.
    Diabetes & Metabolism Journal

Arterial Stiffness in Athletes

Arterial stiffness, characterized by reduced elasticity of the arteries, is a significant concern for athletes as it directly impacts cardiovascular efficiency and overall performance. Athletes, particularly those engaged in high-intensity and endurance sports, are at risk of increased arterial stiffness due to the substantial physical demands placed on their cardiovascular systems. This condition can lead to higher central blood pressure, increased workload on the heart, and impaired blood flow, which may diminish endurance and delay recovery.

Research Highlights

Optimize Cardiovascular Fitness

Vascular biomarkers are essential in optimizing athletic performance and managing recovery in sports medicine. By monitoring these biomarkers, such as arterial stiffness and central blood pressure, sports professionals can detect signs of overtraining early and tailor training regimens to enhance performance without overburdening the cardiovascular system. This early detection helps prevent injuries and allows for personalized recovery protocols, ensuring athletes recover fully before resuming intense activities. Integrating vascular biomarkers into training and recovery plans not only improves immediate performance but also contributes to long-term cardiovascular health, supporting sustained athletic success.

Utility of Vascular Biomarkers in Sports Medicine

  • Knez WL, Sharman JE, Jenkins DG, Coombes JS

    "Ultra-endurance athletes had increased sub-endocardial perfusion capacity and the quantity of exercise training was associated with central rather than peripheral hemodynamics."

    Knez WL, Sharman JE, Jenkins DG, Coombes JS
    Elsevier Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport

Vascular Biomarkers Explained

Vascular biomarkers are revolutionizing not only cardiovascular health management but also clinical research and personal wellness strategies.

These critical indicators offer a comprehensive evaluation of the cardiovascular system's health across a broad spectrum, from clinical trials to individual health monitoring. By assessing key markers such as endothelial function, arterial stiffness, and coronary flow reserve, they enable a nuanced understanding of cardiovascular risks and conditions.

This valuable insight facilitates early intervention, personalized health optimization, and the development of targeted treatments in clinical settings, significantly advancing patient care and wellness initiatives.

Brachial Blood Pressure

What it Is
Brachial blood pressure measures the pressure of blood at the brachial artery using a blood pressure cuff.

Why it Matters
High blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke, both of which are leading causes of death in the US.

Central Blood Pressure

What it Is
Calculated using pulse wave analysis and a traditional brachial cuff, central blood pressure measures pressure at the root of the aorta.

Why it Matters
Central blood pressure reflects key vascular issues such as arterial stiffness, which makes it a more accurate predictor of subclinical cardiovascular disease than traditional brachial blood pressure alone.

Subendocardial Viability Ratio

What it Is
Subendocardial viability ratio measures the supply of blood that flows to your inner heart muscle in relation to demand.

Why it Matters
SEVR offers insight into how well a person’s heart can handle the stress of exercise.

Augmentation Pressure

What it Is
Augmentation pressure refers to the increase in central aortic pressure caused pressure wave reflection.

Why it Matters
A marker of arterial stiffness, elevated augmentation pressure is associated with cardiovascular risk factors as well as increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.

Augmentation Index

What it Is
An indirect measure of arterial stiffness that increases with age, augmentation index reflects the burden stiff arteries place on the heart.

Why it Matters
Chronic stress on the heart and the cardiovascular system can lead to heart failure and hypertrophy (enlarged heart).

Central Pulse Pressure

What it Is
The height of pressure at the heart, central pulse pressure shows the pressure to which key organs like the heart, brain, and kidneys are exposed.

Why it Matters
Central pulse pressure helps identify the risk of end organ damage to key organs like the brain, kidney and heart.

Medical Grade Heart Rate
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Pulse Wave Velocity

What it Is
Pulse wave velocity measures arterial stiffness.

Why it Matters
Increases in arterial stiffness are generally based on the loss of elasticity in the aorta artery walls over time and increases the strain on the heart from heightened pressures. Increased aortic stiffness using PWV is a validated predictor of cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality.

 
cbpCentral Blood Pressure

What it Is
Calculated using pulse wave analysis and a traditional brachial cuff, central blood pressure measures pressure at the root of the aorta.

Why it Matters
Central blood pressure reflects key vascular issues such as arterial stiffness, which makes it a more accurate predictor of subclinical cardiovascular disease than traditional brachial blood pressure alone.

 
bbpBrachial Blood Pressure

What it Is
Brachial blood pressure measures the pressure of blood at the brachial artery using a blood pressure cuff.

Why it Matters
High blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke, both of which are leading causes of death in the US.

 
sevrSubendocardial Viability Ratio

What it Is
Subendocardial viability ratio measures the supply of blood that flows to your inner heart muscle in relation to demand.

Why it Matters SEVR offers insight into how well a person’s heart can handle the stress of exercise.

 
medical grade heart rateMedical Grade Heart Measurement

What it Is
A beat-to-beat heart rate measurement on par with standard ECG-based methods.

Why it Matters
A consistently high resting heart rate may be a sign of coronary heart disease and is associated with a greater risk of stroke.

 
cppCentral Pulse Pressure

What it Is
The height of pressure at the heart, central pulse pressure shows the pressure to which key organs like the heart, brain, and kidneys are exposed.

Why it Matters
Central pulse pressure helps identify the risk of end organ damage to key organs like the brain, kidney and heart.

 
cppPulse Wave Velocity

What it Is
Pulse wave velocity measures arterial stiffness.

Why it Matters
Increases in arterial stiffness are generally based on the loss of elasticity in the aorta artery walls over time and increases the strain on the heart from heightened pressures. Increased aortic stiffness using PWV is a validated predictor of cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality.

 
augmentation pressureAugmentation Pressure

What it Is
Augmentation pressure refers to the increase in central aortic pressure caused pressure wave reflection.

Why it Matters
A marker of arterial stiffness, elevated augmentation pressure is associated with cardiovascular risk factors as well as increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.

 
augmentation indexAugmentation Index

What it Is
An indirect measure of arterial stiffness that increases with age, augmentation index reflects the burden stiff arteries place on the heart.

Why it Matters
Chronic stress on the heart and the cardiovascular system can lead to heart failure and hypertrophy (enlarged heart).

Hover over each biomarker above to learn more

Enhance Athletic Potential with Vascular Biomarkers

Download Reimbursement Guide

In-Clinic

  • Comprehensive cardiovascular assessments including the status of arterial health.
  • Guide rehabilitation programs with exercises and recovery protocols targeting arterial health.
  • Reimbursable with CPT 93050.

At Home

  • Ongoing monitoring to detect alterations in arterial functions and structure.
  • Generate arterial health insights from daily activities.
  • Reimbursable with CPT 9945x & 99091.

SphygmoCor® XCEL

Capture comprehensive central hemodynamics and arterial stiffness insights at point-of-care and in clinical trials.

Explore XCEL

CONNEQT Pulse

Monitor arterial health insights with ease at home and on-the-go.

Explore Pulse

Oscar 2

Gold standard in 24-hour central hemodynamics and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM).

Explore Oscar 2

1 Petek BJ, Churchill TW, Moulson N, et al. Sudden Cardiac Death in National Collegiate Athletic Association Athletes: A 20-Year Study. Circulation. 2024;149(2):80-90. doi:10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.123.065908

2 Merghani A, Maestrini V, Rosmini S, et al. Prevalence of Subclinical Coronary Artery Disease in Masters Endurance Athletes With a Low Atherosclerotic Risk Profile. Circulation. 2017;136(2):126-137. doi:10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.116.026964

3 https://www.acc.org/Latest-in-Cardiology/Articles/2019/08/16/08/20/Atrial-Fibrillation-in-Competitive-Athletes

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